Good Samaritan tourist stabbed

POLICE have identified and are searching for a possible suspect in the stabbing of an international tourist in Byron Bay early on Saturday morning.

A name has been put to the suspect in the stabbing, but until the police get to "catch up with him" they will not be able to ascertain his exact role in the incident, Ballina Tweed Command duty officer, Inspector Jason Dowds said.

As such, they cannot say if any charges are pending.

The tourist underwent an operation at Tweed Hospital for a wound to his neck suffered in the stabbing.

"He is okay now, but he will have a fairly serious scar," A/Insp Dowds said.

"He was just trying to help and he copped one."

The alleged victim had been walking past Railway Park in Jonson St, Byron Bay, at about 1.15am on Saturday when he saw a man being assaulted by a group of men.

The tourist intervened in an attempt to help the single man, police said.

The intervention led to an argument and a scuffle, during which the tourist was wounded on the neck with a weapon.

It was not known yet whether the weapon was a knife.

The search for the offender began on Saturday night but police were unable to locate him.

The suspect was described as a Caucasian, male, about 16 years old, wearing a black shirt and a black cap.